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[life-or-something-like-lt]

PREY BTS x

[rookie-critic]

Prey (2022, dir. Dan Trachtenberg) - review by Rookie-Critic

Prey was, pardon my French, the shit. I adore the original Predator, it was one of my very first comfort movies. If I was looking for something to watch, and Predator was on, that's what I would watch. This movie is better. Dan Trachtenberg is now 3 for 3 with me (the other two things he's done being 10 Cloverfield Lane, a masterpiece, and the episode of Black Mirror "Playtest," one of my favorite episodes of the entire show). The restraint this film shows in not just throwing you into the action is incredibly refreshing. It takes its time building up its two main characters (three if you count the Predator, which you should), so that when shit does inevitably hit the fan, you're invested. Even with all of that reservation, when the action finally gets to a boil and kicks off, it does not disappoint. The fights are clever, and Amber Midthunder's protagonist Naru fights with cunning as opposed to brute force. Some moments during the climactic final battle actually had me cheering out loud from my couch, by myself, in the dark. Speaking of Midthunder, she is an absolute beast in this, and I hope this sparks many, many more roles for her in the future. I truly don't have many, if any, complaints with this one. It's an action thriller that cares equally about its narrative and action, with a strong director, a strong script, and a strong cast. Also A+++ for Native American representation. What's not to like?

Score: 10/10

Currently streaming on Hulu.

Bonus points for the goodest little doggo the screen has seen this year, Sarii. Who is played by a beautiful American Dingo named Coco, who I've just learned was not a trained film dog, making her even more of a good, good girl.

[adamwatchesmovies]

Prey (2022)

We live in a universe that saw 2022’s Prey released straight to Hulu (Disney+ in territories like Canada) while 2018's The Predator made it to theaters. I’m starting to think maybe this is the evil mirror-verse. Easily the best film in the franchise since the original, it offers everything you want: lots of action and plenty of the franchise’s trademark gore, interesting spins on material we’ve seen before, a memorable protagonist with a satisfying character arc and top-notch filmmaking.

In 1719, Naru (Ambert Midthunder), a young Commanche woman, wants to prove herself a capable hunter like her brother, Taabe (Dakota Beavers). During a search party, she encounters a creature unlike any other: it can effortlessly go toe-to-toe with a bear, turn invisible and wields impossibly sophisticated weapons. This Predator hunts for sport and humans are its preferred prey.

This is the story of the first encounter between humans and the Predator. More importantly, it’s the story of Naru showing everyone who doesn't believe in her wrong. Taabe doesn’t think she can do it and neither do the other men in her tribe, the French voyageurs invading their land, or the Predator. Having your protagonist dismissed by everyone when the audience can see their ingenuity, bravery, and skill at work is a sure way to make them someone you cheer for. You can’t wait to see her in action and believe me, you won’t be disappointed, particularly since the way Naru overcomes the many obstacles put in her path are not immediately obvious.

A human protagonist you’re eager to cheer for is nice and all, but what about the monster that’s been carrying the franchise? Once more, you’ll be pleased. This is not quite the same alien hunter we’ve seen before. Its goals are largely the same: to kill its prey and collect skins, skulls & other trophies, but this film is not set in the present day, which means the technology in everyone's arsenal is way different. Some gadgets will seem familiar, others wholly new. Call me sadistic, but the spaceman tech gets used on a lot of people to ghoulishly enjoyable results.

What makes this use of the “character” so good goes beyond new toys and gore. Director Dan Trachtenberg and his co-writer Patrick Aison know we’ve seen the Predator in 6 other movies and that much of the mystery surrounding it has disappeared. They play with your expectations, managing to surprise you even when you think you’ve seen it all already. The script also draws an interesting parallel between this merciless hunter and the film's human antagonists: the French voyageurs. Like the Predator, they're also invaders from a faraway land who are looking to come in and take what they want - beaver, buffalo skins, etc. - regardless of what the repercussions to the natives might be.

There are many elegant flourished courtesy of Dan Trachtenberg along the way. All of the Comanche people speak English while the Europeans speak French so there's no need for subtitles or a Hunt for Red October-style translation transition. The franchise is given its equivalent of Ellen Ripley in Naru without her being a copy in any way, the end-credit epilogue is cleverly done and non-intrusive, Midthunder gives an excellent performance and this Predator is given its own memorable personality. My only criticism is that the film has several dark scenes set at night. In the theater? It'd be no problem but at home, you'll have to make sure the lights are properly dimmed and the windows are covered.

If the Alien and Predator franchises have a real-life rivalry going on, the latter has officially pulled ahead since it now has more good movies than its competitor. Prey is so good it's a crime everyone will be seeing it at home. (August 19, 2022)

[theboundlessxvoid]

[jonmercer]

The boys dancing again

[jonmercer]

Who is it?

[quiredaragoff]

Depredador: La Presa | República Cinéfila

Depredador: La Presa | República Cinéfila

Esta precuela donde el Depredador llega a la Tierra en el año 1719 y se encuentra con unos cazadores tan expertos como él, le da un giro ciertamente renovador a la franquicia, aunque sus méritos, atendibles, no dejan de ser algo limitados, ya que la euforia que se desató alrededor de Depredador: la presa me parece algo excesiva y creo que quizás tuvo que ver la decepción generada por El…

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[olivierdemangeon]

PREY (2022) ★★★★☆

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